Age: 23 (Sept. 17)
1st
season in pro football
College: Rice
Height: 6’2” Weight: 227
Prelude:
Cooper was an
effective all-around back in college, rushing for 1583 yards on 407 carries and
catching 101 passes for 802 yards. Altogether he totaled 2385 yards from
scrimmage and 21 touchdowns. Attracted by his size and ability to catch the
ball, he was chosen by the 49ers in the first round of the 1980 NFL draft (13th
overall) and proved to be a productive receiver out of the backfield in Head
Coach Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense.
1980 Season Summary
Appeared and
started in all 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Rushing
Attempts – 171
Most
attempts, game – 21 (for 86 yds.) vs. NY Giants 11/23
Yards – 720
Most yards,
game – 90 yards (on 15 carries) vs. Buffalo 12/21
Average gain
– 4.2 [16]
TDs – 5
Pass
Receiving
Receptions – 83
[2, 1st in NFC]
Most
receptions, game – 10 (for 71 yds.) at New Orleans 9/7
Yards – 567
Most yards,
game – 84 (on 3 catches) vs. NY Giants 11/23
Average gain
– 6.8
TDs – 4
Scoring
TDs – 9 [12,
tied with eight others]
Points – 54
49ers went 6-10
to finish third in the NFC West.
Aftermath:
Cooper rushed
for 330 yards on 98 carries and caught 51 passes for 477 yards during the 1981
season that ended with a win in the Super Bowl, where he also contributed a
touchdown catch. However, he proved to not be an effective inside runner and lost
his starting job during the strike-shortened 1982 season. Cooper was shifted to
backup tight end in ’83 due to his pass receiving skills and had his best year
at that position in 1984, with 41 catches for 459 yards and four TDs, but
lasted just one more season in San Francisco and finished his career in 1986
with the Raiders. Overall, Cooper rushed for 1152 yards on 298 carries (3.9
avg.) and caught 213 passes for 1908 yards (9.0 avg.), scoring a total of 18
touchdowns.
--
Highlighted Years features players who were consensus
first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the
following statistical categories:
Rushing:
Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing:
Yards, Completion Percentage, Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving:
Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs,
Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose:
Total Yards
Defense:
Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff
Returns: Average
Punt Returns:
Average
Punting:
Average
*Leagues
include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL
(1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)
**NFC/AFC
since 1970
